Home / Academics / Programs / Major / Advertising & Public Relations
Advertising & Public Relations
Through hands-on experiences and real-world projects, you’ll learn how to craft compelling campaigns, shape public perception, and develop strategies that make an impact. Whether you’re planning brand messaging, managing media relations, or driving social change, this degree prepares you to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-evolving industry.
Experiential Learning
- Intern at organizations such as The Peoria Rivermen, Anheuser-Busch, MGM, the American Red Cross, Peoria Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Holocaust Museum, Fleishman Hillard, Epitaph Records, and Walt Disney.
- Spend a week at the Chicago Auto Show assisting advertising and public relations staff.
Program Details
Core Requirements – 9 hrs.
- COM 101: Survey of Communication (3 hrs.)
- COM 300: Communication Theory (3 hrs.)
- COM 417: Issues and Perspectives in Communication (3 hrs.)
Advertising & Public Relations Core Courses – 24 hrs.
- COM 201: Journalistic Writing (3 hrs.)
- COM 219: Public Relations (3 hrs.)
- COM 220: Advertising as Communication (3 hrs.)
- COM 320: Advertising Creative Strategy (3 hrs.)
- COM 322: Media Planning (3 hrs.)
- COM 325: Advertising Design and Production (3 hrs.)
- COM 327: Public Relations Writing (3 hrs.)
- COM 400: Communications Research (3 hrs.)
Advertising & Public Relations Capstone (choose one)
- COM 480: Public Relations: Case Studies & Campaigns (3 hrs.)
- COM 481: Advertising Campaigns (3 hrs.)
Advertising & Public Relations Electives (choose two)
- COM 360: Digital Journalism (3 hrs.)
- COM 383: Desktop Publishing (3 hrs.)
- COM 388: Social Media Communication (3 hrs.)
- COM 391: Topics in Communication (1-3 hrs.)
- COM 437: Advertising in A Global Environment (3 hrs.)
- COM 438: Public Relations in A Global Environment (3 hrs.)
- COM 447: Issues and Ethics in Advertising (WI) (3 hrs.)
- COM 480: Public Relations: Case Studies & Campaigns (3 hrs.)
- COM 481: Advertising Campaigns (3 hrs.)
- COM 491: Topics in Communication (1-3 hrs.)
- COM 494: Communication Expedition (1-3 hrs.)
- COM 495: Communication Internship (1-3 hrs.)
Career Opportunities
Advertising and public relations graduates are employed in both entry-level and senior executive positions at creative agencies, small and large companies, trade associations, government and nonprofit organizations.
Recent graduates work with companies like:
- Toyota
- Caterpillar
- The United Way
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America
- Peoria Symphony Orchestra
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
- Yelp
- S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
Minor
Interested in social media, branding, or storytelling? The APR minor gives you a practical, hands-on understanding of how to build and maintain relationships between organizations and their audiences.
Whether you’re passionate about consumer behavior, graphic design, or strategic communication, this minor helps you develop the skills to connect brands with consumers, nonprofits with donors, and companies with stakeholders.